Safety With Fireworks & Bonfires

Wednesday 5th November 2008

As Bonfire night approaches, The Outer Hebrides Community Safety Partnership is urging the public to enjoy bonfire night safely and to help prevent accidents with fireworks and bonfires.

Please remember the following:

• It is illegal to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am.
• Purchasers of fireworks must be 18 & over.
• It is an offence to set off fireworks in a public place
• It is an offence for anyone under 18 to possess a firework or sparklers in a public place.

Before the display

Check the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of garden and conform to British Standards.  Read the instructions in daylight.  One person—clearly identified should be responsible for fireworks.

• Only buy fireworks marked BS7114:1988

Things you will need on the night

• Torch
• Bucket of water
• Eye Protection and gloves.
• Bucket of soft earth to stick fireworks in.
• A board for flat-bottomed fireworks.
• Suitable supports for Catherine wheels, proper launchers for rockets.

During The Display

• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
• Light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper.
• Stand well back and keep others back.
• Never go back to a lit firework.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
• Always supervise children.
• Store fireworks in a metal box, kept closed between use.
• Keep pets indoors.

After the Display

• Use tongs or gloves to collect spent fireworks.

• Unsuitable for Children under five.
• Light one at a time.
• Wear gloves when holding sparklers.
• Put used sparklers hot end down into a bucket of sand or water.

• Always keep dogs and cats inside when fireworks are being let off.
• Always close all doors and windows, and block off all cat flaps to stop pets escaping and to keep noise to a minimum.
• Always make sure that your pet is wearing some form of easily readable ID.
• Never take a pet to a firework display.
• Never tie your pet up outside while fireworks are being let off.

• Should be at least 18 metres (60ft) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds.
• Use domestic firelighters.
• Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids.

Hazards

• Be careful, some items if burnt on a bonfire can be very dangerous.
• Old gas cylinders and canisters are likely to explode and may cause severe injury.
• Tyres, furnishings containing foams and plastics and polystyrene can release harmful fumes.  This would be especially dangerous for anyone with asthma or other similar conditions. Any such items must be removed and disposed of properly before the fire is lit.
• Every bonfire should be checked by the organizers prior to lighting to ensure that no hazardous items are present.

Garages

• Garage owners should not give scrap tyres away and  are required by law to ensure they properly dispose of their waste. This includes ensuring  people cannot take tyres away from the premises.

FIREWORK CODE

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114:1988
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box.
• Follow the instructions on each firework.
• Light at arm’s length, using a taper.
• Stand well back.
• Never go near a firework that has been lit.  Even
   if it hasn’t gone off, it cold still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
• Always supervise children around fireworks.
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Never give sparklers to a child under five.Keep pets indoors.

The above information is also available as a leaflet in PDF format:

• Safety With Fireworks & Bonfires (PDF, 192Kb)
• Firework Code (PDF, 18Kb)